US-Vietnam Trade Talks: China's Pressure for 'Neutrality' Amid Geopolitical Maneuvers

As Vietnam and the United States engage in new trade negotiations, Chinese state media have issued a warning to Hanoi, urging it not to 'choose sides' and to consider Beijing's interests. The commentary, published in the Global Times, a state-run tabloid under the People's Daily, on July 16, comes as Washington seeks to address trade barriers and economic security concerns with Vietnam. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, in an interview with Bloomberg TV, reiterated US allegations that Vietnam is being used as a transit point for Chinese goods to evade American tariffs. Greer specifically mentioned the need for Vietnam to manage non-tariff barriers, enhance economic security cooperation, protect intellectual property rights, resolve rules of origin disputes, and prevent transshipment of Chinese goods. Greer stated, "There are cases where it's entirely illicit shipment, where goods are sent to Vietnam and then labeled 'Made in Vietnam.'" The Global Times article interpreted these US demands as a geopolitical maneuver by Washington to draw Vietnam into its technology containment orbit, aiming to restrict China's access to advanced technologies and limit Hanoi's policy options in sensitive areas. It argued that the US, having failed to curb China's technological development, is now pressuring key nodes in the Asia-Pacific supply chain, including Vietnam. The Chinese newspaper advised Vietnam not to be forced to 'choose sides,' citing the years of 'mutual complementarity' and 'interdependence' in industrial and supply chains, where China offers 'stable supply at competitive costs.' It also reiterated China's firm opposition to any agreements that harm its interests. This is not the first time Chinese state media have commented on US-Vietnam trade discussions. A July 4 article in the Global Times questioned why countries should not resist US demands for 'poison pill' clauses in trade talks, following reports that the US had presented Vietnam with a list of demands potentially requiring a reduction in reliance on Chinese industrial imports. Reuters reported in June that the US had sent a list of 'tough' demands to Vietnam in tariff negotiations, some of which could force Vietnam to reduce its dependence on industrial imports from China. These US demands have led many observers to believe that the US-Vietnam trade talks are no longer just a bilateral issue. Deborah Elms, Director of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, commented that any effort by the Trump administration to eliminate Chinese-sourced components from Southeast Asian exports would be very difficult, given the deeply integrated and intertwined nature of regional supply chains. Meanwhile, in a December interview with Reuters, Professor Alexander Vuving of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies suggested that Beijing's influence over Hanoi was increasing, while relations with the US were under pressure from tariffs. At that time, despite US calls to 'reduce dependence on China,' Vietnam signed several sensitive technology contracts with Chinese telecommunications companies Huawei and ZTE; approved the use of Chinese loans for the construction of several railway lines connecting to China; and Chinese-made COMAC aircraft were permitted by Vietnamese regulators for Vietjet to operate. According to Vuving, these moves to draw closer to Beijing might reflect Vietnam's long-standing policy of balancing foreign relations after making commitments to Washington in trade negotiations. However, he warned that if this trend continues, Vietnam could become a 'torn country' rather than a 'country pivoting,' increasing the risk of negative repercussions on its relations with the West.